The vast majority of Ukrainians—93 percent—are dissatisfied with both the political and economic situation in their country, according to an October 2008 survey by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). The results of this survey statistically confirm the widespread pessimism among Ukrainians about the current political and economic instability in their society, stated Gavin Weise, Deputy Director for Europe and Asia, IFES. Historically speaking, "93 percent is the highest figure for dissatisfaction in Ukraine out of all of the previous 16 IFES polls since 1994", added Rakesh Sharma, Director, F. Clifton White Applied Research Center, IFES.

Economic issues comprise the greatest concern for Ukrainians. At the top of respondents' lists were inflation, general economic problems, corruption, and poverty. Additionally, as compared to 2007, the level of confidence in political institutions, such as the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament) and the Cabinet of Ministers, has dropped significantly. Confidence in political leaders also declined. The survey showed such loss of confidence to be most notable for President Viktor Yushchenko, but Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko also experienced significant drops. Moreover, political parties are perceived by Ukrainians as primarily serving their own interests rather than the interests of the people. Only 18 percent agree with the perception that "voting gives people like me an influence on decision-making in Ukraine."

Such a low level of civic engagement is compounded by the fact that only 15 percent of Ukrainians believe their country to be a democracy, which is the lowest percentage yet in nine years of polling by IFES. However, when asked what defines a democracy, apart from protection of human rights, the respondents listed primarily economic and social welfare concerns, such as employment and social security. IFES has found that this definition is characteristic of several post-Soviet societies. Weise suggested that such expectations in part explain Ukrainians' negative assessment of their country as a democracy; it is not freedoms but rather social benefits that are expected by Ukrainians from a democratic state. As economic conditions worsen, Ukrainians are thus likely to become further disillusioned with notions of Ukrainian democracy.

Furthermore, 75 percent of respondents find Ukraine's foreign policy unsatisfactory. Fifty-seven percent of respondents object to Ukraine joining NATO, for reasons varying from not wanting to send Ukrainian troops abroad to fearing worsened relations with Russia. On the other hand, 41 percent of the respondents think Ukraine should join the EU, which they expect, again, will meet their expectations of higher standards of living, freedom of movement (economic migration), and political stability. Finally, in the aftermath of the Russia–Georgia conflict, 44 percent of Ukrainians believe that "Russia will be more aggressive in its relations with Ukraine."

In conclusion, Weise noted that even though on most issues respondents expressed "gloom and doom," such a negative assessment of the present social and political circumstances in the country is largely due to the rapid decline in the economy over the last year.